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Neighbors shoulder fee for church
By TIM GRANT © St. Petersburg Times, published April 22, 2001 TAMPA PALMS -- When it comes to churches in Tampa Palms, it seems most residents would rather share an annual assessment fee than have it paid by a congregation. Following a vote Thursday by members of the Tampa Palms North Owners Association, St. James United Methodist became the third church in this community to be exempt from paying annual assessments. In this case, a $5,000 annual assessment for the church will amount to less than $5 for each household. That amount is based on 1,062 housing units the community will have when it's finished. The measure passed by a vote of 55-18. Bruce Nordstrom, 40, was among those who voted to exempt St. James from the annual assessment. "My feeling was the expense was minimal for the homeowners and the impact that the church is making outweighs the $5 fee," Nordstrom said. St. James will pay up to $18,000 for past assessments, interest and attorney fees. Residents will receive their first bill with the $5 addition next year. While churches are exempt from property taxes assessed by local governments, annual homeowner assessments pay the additional cost of maintaining roads and street lights and providing amenities to a subdivision. Other churches in Tampa Palms that are not assessed fees include Grace Episcopal Church on Amberly Drive and Family of Christ Lutheran on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Prior to the vote, Brian James, pastor of St. James, asked the homeowners to amend the deed restriction documents so that the church would be governed by architectural guidelines of the association, but not be subject to the annual assessment. "We are not eligible for membership in this association, nor do we use any of the amenities," James said. "All we are asking is to be a church and not pay assessments for what we are not receiving. "We are asking you to let us use that money for mission work and maintaining church programs," James said. St. James is located on 10 acres at 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. The 5-acre site where the church sits was bought in 1993 and is not subject to assessments because it is outside the association boundaries. An additional 5 acres the congregation bought in 1997, however, are inside the boundary of Tampa Palms North and subject to an assessment equal to nine times the $540 assessment for a single-family home. That second 5-acre site has not been developed. It is a grassy lot that church members use for parking. As part of the agreement to exempt the church, James said St. James will never exercise its right to cast nine votes in the association. In the event of a future sale, James said the church also would work with the homeowner association to ensure the land is not used for any purpose the association members do not approve of. - To reach Tim Grant call 226-3471, or e-mail him at grant@sptimes.com.
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